Spaying/Neutering

Millions of dogs and cats are euthanized each year; your pets’ offspring could be among them. Help participate in becoming a No-Kill County by spaying and neutering your pets. There are many benefits to spaying and neutering including that it can help your pet live a longer, healthier life. Read on for a list of some of the benefits of spaying/neutering your pet.

Spayed and Neutered pets are often less aggressive.

Spaying/neutering will reduce the need to roam to find a mate, this will reduce their chance of getting hit by a car or contracting a disease from another animal.

Reduces the urge to fight with other animals, which will eliminate vet bills due to bite wounds and other severe injuries.

Eliminates or reduces spraying (marking territory with urine), marking, and howling. These are behaviors associated with breeding.

Saves money and time that would be spent on raising puppies or kittens. Many rescue organizations also charge a receiving fee which can range from $5 to $50 per puppy or kitten.

The cost of spay/neuter surgery pales in comparison.

Neutering a male reduces their risk of prostate cancer and eliminates their risk of testicular cancer.

Spaying a female can reduce the risk of mammary cancer and will eliminate the risk of uterine infections and uterine cancer. It will also reduce the risk of ovarian cancer.

Eliminates the risks associated with giving birth. Cesarean sections performed to save the mother and her offspring are expensive and carry risks.

What is spaying and neutering?

Spaying is the common name for a procedure called an “ovariohysterectomy”. This is an abdominal surgery in which the uterus and ovaries are removed from the female’s body. Neutering is the common name for a procedure called “an orchiectomy”. In this procedure both testicles are removed from the male’s body making him sterile. In the chance he is a cryptorchid (an undescended testicle) a second incision will possibly be made in the abdomen or in the inguinal regions to remove the undescended testicle.

Is my pet going to be in pain?

It is a surgical procedure so some pain and inflammation is common. The surgery itself is done with the pet under general anesthesia. Pain medicines are given prior to and after surgery that can give the pet pain relief for up to 36hrs after surgery.

Will surgery make my pet fat and lazy?

Your pet’s metabolism may slow down a bit after surgery, but the surgery itself will not cause your pet to become overweight. The truth is that most pets get fat and lazy because their owners feed them too much and don’t give them enough exercise. Spaying and neutering will not change a pet’s basic personality it can change some bad behaviors like roaming, marking, spraying, aggression, and dominating.

Shouldn’t my dog/cat have a litter first?

Some people believe that this would be healthier for their pets but medical evidence actually shows the opposite. Studies indicate that the greater the number of litters and heat cycles that a female dog goes through before she is spayed substantially increases her risk of severe health problems like mammary cancer and pyometra. Having a female dog spayed prior to her first heat cycle can substantially increase her lifespan.

How old do they need to be?

Different vets recommend different ages for spay and neuter. Most vet clinics and low cost spay and neuter clinics in San Antonio will fix your pet as early as two months as long as it weighs two pounds.

Can an animal in heat be spayed, and what risk is involved?

A female can be “in heat” or estrus during the surgical procedure. This is done routinely, especially in cats, and while the procedure can be more tedious for the veterinarian there is often no additional risk to the patient. Extra blood loss or possible vaginal/uterine infection can be a complication.